U.S. patent number 4,685,156 [Application Number 06/872,801] was granted by the patent office on 1987-08-11 for adjustable water temperature safety control unit.
Invention is credited to James A. Brabazon.
United States Patent |
4,685,156 |
Brabazon |
August 11, 1987 |
Adjustable water temperature safety control unit
Abstract
An adjustment water temperature safety control unit (40)
includes a pair of control valves (42, 44) interconnected by meshed
control gears (100, 106) for opposite inversely proportional
actuation responsive to a single control knob (78). The desired
maximum hot water temperature and/or the desired minimum cold water
temperature can be set by means of adjustable clips (104, 110) on
the gears (100, 106), which are located behind a removable panel
(26). Volumetric flow rate of the mixture is controlled by at least
one valve (56) and control knob (64).
Inventors: |
Brabazon; James A. (Maiden
Rock, WI) |
Family
ID: |
25360317 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/872,801 |
Filed: |
June 11, 1986 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/676; 137/597;
137/607; 137/865; 251/288; 4/570; 4/677 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
1/523 (20130101); F16K 11/14 (20130101); F16K
31/53 (20130101); F24D 19/1051 (20130101); Y10T
137/87732 (20150401); Y10T 137/87692 (20150401); Y10T
137/87249 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
31/53 (20060101); F16K 11/10 (20060101); F16K
1/32 (20060101); F24D 19/00 (20060101); F24D
19/10 (20060101); F16K 31/44 (20060101); F16K
1/52 (20060101); F16K 11/14 (20060101); F16K
011/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/607,595,597,865
;251/248,285,287,288 ;4/194 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schwadron; Martin P.
Assistant Examiner: Hepperle; Stephen M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell,
Welter & Schmidt
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable water temperature control for connection between
hot and cold water supply lines and a discharge outlet, which
comprises:
a pair of control valves, one control valve being connected in the
hot water supply line and the other control valve being connected
in the cold water supply line;
each control valve being operable to the same extent between open
and closed positions;
means interconnecting said control valves for inverse simultaneous
operation over a limited adjustable range in at least one direction
for mixing the hot and cold water to the desired temperature in the
range; and
a shut-off valve connected between said control valves and the
discharge outlet for controlling flow rate;
said means interconnecting said control valves including:
a pair of gears, one being connected to one control valve and the
other being connected to the other control valve;
said gears being meshed together for rotation in opposite
directions;
a manual control knob connected to one of said gears; and
means removably secured to one said gears for interfering
engagement with the other gear to limit rotation of said gears in
the said one direction.
2. The adjustable water temperature control according to claim 1,
wherein said means removably secured to one of said gears comprises
a peripheral clip.
3. The adjustable water temperature control according to claim 2,
further including:
another peripheral clip removably secured to one of said gears to
limit rotation of said gears in the other direction.
4. An adjustable water temperature control for connection between
hot and cold water supply lines and a discharge outlet, which
comprises:
a pair of control valves, one being connected in the hot water
supply line and the other being connected in the cold water supply
line;
each control valve including a valve stem and being operable to the
same extent between open and closed positions;
a pair of gears, one gear being secured to the valve stem of one
control valve and the other gear being secured to the valve stem of
the other gear;
said gears being in meshed engagement to interconnect said control
valves for predetermined proportional inverse simultaneous
operation;
means associated with said gears for limiting rotation thereof in
at least one direction;
a manula temperature control knob secured to the valve stem of one
of said control valves; and
a manual flow control vlave connected between said control valves
and the discharge outlet for controlling flow rate of the hot and
cold water mixture;
said limiting means including a peripheral clip removably secured
to one of said gears.
5. The adjustable water temperature control according to claim 4,
further including:
another peripheral clip removably secured to one of said gears for
interference with the other gear to limit rotation of said gears in
the opposite direction.
6. The adjustable water temperature control according to claim 4,
wherein opposite faces of said gears include circular grooves
therein, and wherein each clip includes complementary leg portions
for snap-releasable attachment to said gears.
7. An adjustable water temperature control for connection between
hot and cold water supply lines and a discharge outlet, which
comprises:
a first control valve connected in the hot water supply line,
said first valve being operable between open and closed
positions;
a second control valve connected in the cold water supply line,
said second control valve being operable between open and closed
positions;
a first gear connected to said first control valve;
a second gear connected to said second control valve, said first
and second gears being in meshed engagement to interconnect said
first and second control valves for predetermined inverse but equal
operation;
a first removable clip peripherally secured to said first gear for
interference with said second gear to limit relative opening and
closing of said control valves in one direction;
a second peripheral clip removably secured to said second gear for
limiting relative opening and closing of said second valve in the
other direction;
a manual temperature control knob attached to one of said first and
second gears for controlling proportional mixtures of the hot water
and cold water; and
a manual flow control valve connected between said first and second
control valves and the discharge outlet for controlling flow rate
of the hot and cold water mixture.
8. The adjustable water temperature control of claim 9, further
including:
a tub including bottom and side walls;
means defining a flush floor drain in the bottom wall of said
tub;
means defining a flush overflow drain in the wall of said tub;
and
means defining a flush fill port in the wall of said tub, said fill
port being connected to the discharge outlet.
9. The adjustable water temperature control according to claim 8,
further including:
means including a wall defining a water-tight enclosure about part
of said tub;
a panel provided in said wall; and
a manual flow control knob attached to said flow control valve;
said control temperature and flow knobs being recessed in said
panel.
10. The adjustable water temperature control of claim 7, further
including:
a tub including bottom and side walls;
means defining a flush floor drain in the bottom wall of said
tub;
means defining a flush overflow drain in the side wall of said
tub;
means defining a flush fill port in the wall of said tub, said fill
port being connected to the discharge outlet;
a shower head mounted in spaced relation above said tub;
a fitting connected between said manual flow control valve and said
first and second valves; said fitting including an outlet; and
another manual flow control valve connected between the outlet of
said fitting and said shower head.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a water temperature
safety control for a bathtub and/or a shower unit. More
particularly, this invention relates to a single handle hot/cold
water temperature control that can be adjusted to limit both the
maximum hot water temperature and/or minimum cold water temperature
as desired for safety purposes.
BACKGROUND ART
Most households include water heaters to supply hot water for
bathing and washing purposes. Such water heaters are typically
adjustable to provide hot water at the desired temperature. Hotter
water is usually desired for washing than for bathing. Many
automatic dish washers and clothes washers require water heated to
a particular temperature for proper operation. Thus, the water
temperature required for clothes or dish washing is usually the
controlling factor in setting the water heater.
Adjustment of the water temperature as desired for bathing and the
like is simply accomplished by the user at the sink, tub or shower.
Some attention is required because, in some cases, it is possible
to become scalded, particularly if the water heater is positioned
nearby or the supply lines are insulated, and there has been little
or no temperature loss in line from the water heater. This can
result in burns from scalding hot water, which of course is a
dangerous condition. Excessive splashing can also occur if the
volumetric flow rates of the hot water and cold water are not
adjusted properly. These have been long standing problems
associated with the use of water heaters that provide hot water for
both bathing and washing.
Various non-scalding water valves have been developed heretofore,
however, there have been several drawbacks to these prior devices.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,479,545 to Johnson; 1,551,226 and
1,615,730 to Vallier; 2,180,790 to Brummett; and 4,089,347 to
Christo are representative of the prior art. One drawback has been
that the prior devices have tended to be relatively complicated and
thus expensive. Another drawback has been that the prior water
temperature control devices have been adapted primarily for
controlling only the hot water, and not the cold water as well. It
will be appreciated that an unexpected blast of cold water can be a
shock which could in turn cause the user to slip and fall in the
tub and shower.
Yet another drawback with the prior water temperature control
devices has been their lack of convenient adjustability. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,880 to Saarisalo shows a single-grip
mixing valve that provides adjustability of either hot or cold
temperature limits, but requires disassembly for adjustment.
Heretofore there has not been available a water temperature control
safety unit of inexpensive construction that delivers a
substantially constant volume of water within a preselected
temperature range whose upper and lower limits can readily be
adjusted as desired.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention comprises an adjustable water temperature
safety control unit which overcomes the foregoing and other
difficulties associated with the prior art. In accordance with the
invention, there is provided an apparatus for mixing two streams of
liquid, such as hot water and cold water, and controlling their
relative proportions so as to provide a mixture of substantially
constant flow rate within a safe temperature range whose upper and
lower limits can readily be adjusted as desired. The adjustable
water temperature safety control unit of the invention comprises a
pair of control valves, one being connected in the cold water
supply line and the other being connected in the hot water supply
line. The control valves are interconnected for inverse operation
by control gears. Each control valve is preferably adapted to
operate between fully open and fully closed positions over about
one complete revolution. The gears, which are preferably the same
size, are enmeshed in a 1:1 inverse drive ratio so that closure of
one control valve opens the other control valve proportionately in
order to maintain substantially constant volumetric flow rate. A
single control knob is also secured to the valve stem of one of the
control valves. Removable clips are provided for attachment to the
control gears for purposes of limiting the minimum and maximum
water temperatures as desired. The outlets of the control valves
are connected to a fitting, wherein the hot water and cold water
are combined into a mixture at the desired temperature, and at
least one on/off shut-off valve is connected to the outlet of the
fitting for controlling volumetric flow rate of the mixture
delivered to the tub, shower, sink, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention can be had by reference to
the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the
accompanying Drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is perspective cutaway view of a portion of a tub and shower
enclosure incorporating the adjustable water temperature safety
control unit of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the tub and shower
enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the adjustable water temperature
safety control unit incorporating a first embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the water temperature
safety control unit of the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one of the control valves;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an adjustable water safety control
unit incorporating a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a view of the control panel of the second embodiment;
and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the water temperature
safety control unit of the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the Drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate like or corresponding elements throughout the views, and
particularly referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a tub and
shower enclosure 10 incorporating the water temperature safety
control unit of the invention. The tub and shower enclosure 10
includes a tub 12 having a fill port 14, floor drain 16 and an
overflow drain 18. The fittings comprising the fill port 14, floor
drain 16 and overflow drain 18 are preferably flush with the bottom
and side walls of the tub 12 so as to avoid any projections that
could cause or further possible injury in the event of a fall in
the tub. The tub 12 is surrounded by a front wall 20, side wall 22
and a rear wall (not shown) which can be of either separate or
integral construction so as to form a water-tight enclosure about
three sides of the tub. A shower head 24 is provided in the front
wall 20. A recessed panel 26 is also provided in the front wall 20,
adjacent to the flanged upper edge of the tub 12. The panel 26 is
preferably recessed substantially flush with the front wall 20 and
includes various recessed controls therein so as to avoid any
projections that could cause or contribute to further possible
injury in the event of a slip and fall in the tub and shower
enclosure 10. A retractable rinse head 28 is located on one side of
the panel 26, while a storage cabinet 30 can be provided on the
other side for convenient storage of soap, shampoo, wash cloths and
the like.
As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the adjustable water
temperature safety control unit of the invention is connected
between the hot and cold water supply lines behind wall 20 to
provide water within a safe temperature range to the discharge
outlets in the enclosure.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown the adjustable water
temperature safety control unit 40 incorporating the first
embodiment of the invention. The control unit 40 includes a pair of
mixing control valves 42 and 44. As illustrated, the control valve
42 is connected to the hot water supply line 46 while the control
valve 44 is connected to the cold water supply line 48, although
the positions of the valves could be reversed if desired. The
outlet of the control valve 42 is connected to a T-fitting 50 while
the outlet of the control valve 44 is connected through an elbow
fitting 52 to the T-fitting, wherein mixing of the streams of hot
and cold water occurs.
At least one shut-off valve is connected to the outlet of the
T-fitting 50 for controlling the volumetric flow rate of the water
mixture. As illustrated, a cross over fitting 54 is connected to
the outlet of the T-fitting 50. Shut-off valves 56, 58 and 60 are
connected to the outlets of the cross over fitting 54. The valve 56
is connected between fitting 54 and a line 62 leading to the shower
head 24, which is controlled by a recessed knob 64 in the panel 26.
The valve 58 connects the cross over fitting 54 with an elbow 66
and a line 68 leading to the tub fill port 14, which is controlled
by another recessed knob 70 in the panel 26. Similarly, valve 60
connects the fitting 54 with another elbow 72 and a line 74 leading
to the retractable rinse head 28, which is controlled by a recessed
knob 76 in the panel 26.
Referring now to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, the
control valves 42 and 44 are interconnected for opposite or
inversely proportional actuation responsive to a single recessed
temperature control knob 78 which is also provided in the panel 26.
The dotted line 80 in FIG. 3 represents the fact that control
valves 42 and 44 are interconnected for common actuation. In
particular, the control valves 42 and 44, which are of similar
construction, are preferably adapted for actuation between fully
open and fully closed positions over one 360.degree. revolution.
For example, the control valve 44, which is shown in exploded view
in FIG. 5, includes a valve body 82, a stem 84, a cap 86, and a
stem packing cap 88. The inner end of the valve stem 84 includes a
washer 90 which is movable with the valve stem into and out of
engagement with the valve seat 92 in the body 82. The valve cap 86
in turn is threaded into the side of the valve body 82, and the
valve stem 84 is threaded through the valve cap by means of double
lead threads 94 so as to provide fully open or fully closed
positions of the valve 44 over one complete 360.degree. revolution.
The stem packing cap 88 in turn slides over the outer end of the
valve stem 84 and screws onto the valve cap 86. Control gear 100 is
press-fitted onto the splined valve stem 84. Circular grooves 102
are provided on the faces of control gear 100, and a removable clip
104 is secured at the desired position about the gear. Clip 104, as
is best seen in FIG. 5, includes converging leg portions for
snapping into grooves 102.
The control valve 42 is of similar construction except that another
control gear 106 is connected to stem 107, which is longer than
valve stem 84, as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 5, so as to
protrude through panel 26. Control gear 106 includes similar
circular grooves 108 and a removable clip 110 thereon. The control
gear 106, which is in meshed engagement with the gear 100, is also
connected to the recessed knob 78 in the panel 26. Gears 100 and
106 can be made from molded plastic or other suitable material, and
are preferably of the same size.
Actuation of the temperature control knob 78 causes one of the
valves 42 and 44 to open as the other closes, and vice versa, such
that hot water and cold water are mixed in inverse proportions. To
set the temperature, the control gear 106 would be turned clockwise
to its limit so that the hot water supply line 46 would be fully
closed and the cold water supply line 48 would be fully open. One
of the valves 56, 58 or 60 would then be opened until obtaining the
desired water flow. The control valve 106 would then be turned
counterclockwise until reaching the desired maximum hot water
temperature, whereupon the clip 110 would then be pressed onto the
control gear 106 adjacent the mesh points between gears 100 and 106
so as to limit further counterclockwise (opening) actuation of the
control valve 42. The knob 78 would then be rotated clockwise to
close the hot water control valve 42 and open the cold water
control valve 44 until reaching the desired minimum cold water
temperature, whereupon the clip 104 would then be pressed onto the
control gear 100 near the mesh point between gears 100 and 106 to
limit further clockwise movement of the temperature control knob
78.
Although limit clips 104 and 110 are shown mounted on different
gears 100 and 106, both clips could be mounted on the same gear if
desired, depending upon the dersired temperature range. Further,
only one of the limit clips 104 and 110 can be used if it is
desired to limit only maximum hot water temperature, or only
minimum cold water temperature, but not both.
FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the water temperature
safety control unit 120 of the present invention. The water
temperature safety control unit 120 of the second embodiment
incorporates numerous component parts which are substantially
identical in construction and operation to certain component parts
of the control unit 40 of the first embodiment. Such component
parts in the second embodiment have been identified with the same
reference numerals from the first embodiment, but have been
differentiated therefrom by means of prime (') notations. The
primary difference between the control units 120 and 40 comprises
the fact that the unit 120 is of more compact construction, such as
for use in mobile homes, for example, with only two shut-off valves
for the tub and shower. In place of the T-fitting 50 of the control
unit 40, the control unit 120 utilizes a cross over fitting 122
between the outlets of the control valves 42' and 44' and the
inlets of the on/off valves 56' and 58'. Otherwise, the water
temperature safety control unit 120 of the second embodiment is
substantially the same in construction and operation as the first
embodiment herein.
From the foregoing it will thus be apparent that the present
invention comprises an improved adjustable water temperature safety
control unit having numerous advantages over the prior art. The
unit herein provides for convenient adjustability of either the
maximum hot water temperature or the minimum cold water
temperature, or both, as well as maintaining uniform volumetric
flow rate of the mixture subject to control by an independent
on/off shut-off valve. Other advantages will be evident to those
skilled in the art.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited only to the embodiments disclosed, but is
intended to embrace any alternatives, equivalents, modifications
and/or rearrangements of elements falling within the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *